ECB voting plan adopted by EU summit

A plan proposed by the European Central Bank to reform its voting ahead of enlargement was accepted by EU leaders today, EU officials…

A plan proposed by the European Central Bank to reform its voting ahead of enlargement was accepted by EU leaders today, EU officials said.

"They have agreed the voting system, the ECB point is through," one of the officials said.

The plan to adopt the ECB's voting procedures to cope with a euro area that could be enlarged from 12 to up to 27 members had been opposed by some smaller euro zone members.

It takes away a permanent vote from all countries in its interest rate setting decisions, but makes smaller nations wait longer for a turn at the voting table than larger neighbours.